It really breaks my heart whenever I brush Noah’s teeth. We’ve added other brushings so that he gets his teeth brushed in the morning, before naptime and before bed. I’d like to add more eventually but first, I’m trying to teach him that it’s really not that bad. You see, whenever I go to brush his teeth, he screams and screams and screams. Not tantrum-like “I don’t want this” screams but truly tearjerking, “please stop please stop please stop” screams. Lately he’s even learned to use his words when he’s mad so it’s become a repeat of “nonononononono” as loudly as he can while I try to make sure I get every tooth properly brushed off.

Some people tell me just to let it go. Not brush his teeth until he’s old enough to be reasoned with and I wish I could do this. If he wasn’t predisposed to cavities and if he was nightweaned, I might let it go if he’s having a particularly rough night, like tonight. Unfortunately, he IS prediposed to cavities and he ISN’T nightweaned. He’s already had two difficult procedures done and I will do whatever I can to prevent another.

I just can’t help the thoughts that come to my mind when I’m brushing his teeth. Is he traumatized from his experiences with the dentist? Does he think I’m betraying him? Can he possibly understand that this is for his own good and that I don’t get any pleasure from forcing this on him?

Right now, I feel like both the best mother in the world and the worst. I reassure myself that I’m doing the right thing but it is so difficult. *sigh* I did let him “brush” my teeth earlier and it was so hilarious to him that I might be able to work something out where he brushes mine as I brush his. If that doesn’t work, I’m liable to break down in tears tomorrow morning.

Oh, and as an aside, we bought Sensodyne toothpaste today. I’m already noticing a difference so I hope it will help my teeth as far as brushing goes.